Problems after using Sandisk Micro flash drive

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1) Is easy to at least attempt / try a Windows Repair install first (as previously suggested we should also be trying) and before attempting a full re-install.
=> Windows repair install attempts to re-install/fix Windows without overwriting any other existing data/program installs
=> Windows full re-install means you have to reformat and start from scratch

2) More importantly, before attempting EITHER or ANY reinstall, a user should FIRST create their install disks so no matter what happens they always have CD/DVD disks to use for recovery if by any means they should lose their recovery partition (They should create these disks before any reinstall attempt)
 
Suggest we do things in this order

1. Verify you can boot up your computer from your recovery disks.
Then put them aside and reboot normally. Do not continue to Step 2 until confident of Step 1

2. Let’s first attempt normal Windows update / Driver and Program reinstalls and repairs
  • Click for HP's Vista driver install list for computer (if you had seen / found a different page on your own let me know before proceeding). When installing, should it ask
    => Should it repair? say, yes, let it repair
    => Should it uninstall other versioons first?, yes, let it uninstall anything current/prior versions before continuing
  • From Control Panel->Add/Remove programs, remove: Java(TM) 6 Update 7
  • Install the Driver - Chipset
  • Install Operating System - Enhancements and QFEs
  • From an Internet Explorer window, enter www.windowsupdate.com. Hit Custom. Install all High Priority and Hardware optional updates. (Software optional are your choice)
  • Then from the HP driver download site, Install Driver Audio
  • Install HP DVD Play
  • Run HP Software updates (probably under Start->Programs->HP)
Notes:
You are also running Cyberlink DVD Player related products and HP Games tho i can't presently find any reinstall packages to download/reinstall them. So just try the above steps first.

We will use your recovery partition since it's there. Will update this post a little later with info.​

/* EDIT */
Here's some links you might find helpful (in general) if you haven't come across them yet yourself
Repairing a Corrupted Installation Using HP Recovery Manager
Using HP Backup and Recovery Manager
And finally, if you need go that next step, I think this is a good tutorial on to How Perform a Windows Vista Repair (And appears you need do the Repair install using your recovery disks. The HP partition will only do a full re-install as i understand it from what i skimmed through)

Let us know how things turn out!
 
When I go to www.windowsupdate.com it opens my System Maintenance, Windows Update automatically. It shows that windows is up to date and I don't get any options to custom install anything... was I supposed to have done something before this step that would have changed this? Also, I can't install the Conexant driver... it's not saying it can't find the media device anymore. Now it just says "Failure" when it's done.
Now what?
 
Okay, I do that and it brings me to the same place... but I do have a hyperlink for additional updates, and it has the Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221. So, I click on it to install and it goes throught the process and then shows that it fails, due to an unknown error....
 
1) My apologies. I forgot the Windows update interface is a bit different for Vista then in XP (where Express/Custom buttons apply for XP)
2.) For more detail on running Windows update on Vista you can click here
3) Sounds like Windows Update found your Audio driver correctly but, as you report, couldn't install it. Does that mean you did steps 1, 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d without problem?
4) Were any other updates found and installed? Did you try any other installs via Windows update. Or just the Audio driver found (the Conexant thingy) you found and then it failed to install? (As the latter case at least could mean it's Audio driver issue rather then Windows general issue)
5. In any case, i also forgot to note before (even a Repair install) is best to backup your data (even tho Repair Install shouldn't touch/affect your data nothing is 100% with computers. So best to be cautious before doing so :suspiciou )
 
I did all the steps without problem. I had nothing new to install for Windows except for the Driver, which wouldn't install. I think I finally reached a point where I was tired of trying to figure it out because nothing was working.
So, I burned all the files that I wanted to keep onto a CD and did the system recovery to factory settings. And, it works great! Sound works, games work, no shutdown issues. Woohoo! And guess what I WON'T be doing? I will not plug that flash drive back into this laptop. EVER.
Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Tammy
 
Okay. I tried system restore from a few different points, no success. It goes through the system recovery procedure, then restarts & gives me a message that it did not finish successfully due to "unspecified error".
I tried using this flash drive again today and it didn't work at all this time- went straight to the dreaded blue screen. And I've noticed that I have no sound now either.
I'm going to try LookinAround's suggestions next.
Please, please let me know if anyone's heard of this!
Thanks,
Tammy

Okay. I ran the diskcleanup, but at the end it says
5 USB devices not removed 3 disk devices not removed
1 CD rom devices not removed
4 storage volumes not removed
I'm thinking it wasn't successful just like the system restore?
Tammy
Hey! Glad to hear the good news.... :grinthumb

Though is good to clarify terminology for anyone reading this thread....

System Restore vs. a System Recovery are two very different and distinct procedures yielding very different results so one should be clear which they are doing (and the result they expect)
  • System Restore - attempts to restore your computer to a prior date/time when your computer worked great. System and program data may be modified but your personal data and files shouldn't be affected after a System Restore attempt
  • System Recovery ("going back to factory defaults") is a more radical procedure. This is essentially a full Windows re-install where your disk is wipe clean! and restored back to the date when you bought it new

  1. One should attempt System Restore first
    => Which it seems everyone agreed upon. And you did. A week ago. And reported it didn't work a week ago
  2. Before ever attempting System Recovery, i advise
    => One should absolutely and without question be careful to look for a recovery partition and build your recovery disks before any operating system repair or re-install attempt
    => Consider / try system repair options before jumping into a System Recovery
    => Take the time to back up your data (as you may lose it when repairing and guaranteed to lose it in System Recovery (i.e. Windows re-install)
So glad to see you started with a System Restore (as we all unanimously agreed). But when that failed a week ago you took a bit of time and needed steps before deciding to end with a System Recovery. Hope your computer continues to behave well!
 
I use the System Restore feature on laptops all the time, especially if the laptop is under 6 months old. System Recovery techniques are used mainly on desktop computers
 
:confused: :confused: :confused:

1. Both System Restore and System Recovery techniques are routinely used on both laptops and desktops (The techniques and order of the techniques one chooses is important) But I don't follow how whether you're fixing a laptop vs. desktop is an issue in the decision

=> System Restore can work (or fail to work) and solve the problem whether on laptop or desktop
=> And you're saying System Recovery / Windows re-installs are best suited for desktops? not so for laptops?????? :confused:
=> Or is there some confusion over use of terminology? (see my prior post)
 
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